Cutter Gauthier was one of the league's best finishers last season but has started 2026-27 slowly.
A date with the Vancouver Canucks, who rank last in shots and goals against, could be just what the doctor ordered for Anaheim's sniper to ramp up offensively.
I'm backing Gauther to score, and a couple of offensive blueliners to pile up the shots on goal, with three NHL predictions.
Let's break down my full card of NHL picks for Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Today's top NHL predictions
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Pick |  Probability |
|---|---|
 Matthew Schaefer Over 3.5 shots on goal |
39% |
 Cutter Gauthier anytime goal |
44% |
 Olen Zellweger Over 1.5 shots on goal |
57% |
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Pick #1: Matthew Scahefer Over 3.5 shots on goal
Play to 48%.
Matthew Schaefer has taken his shot volume to a completely different level this season, leading all defensemen in both shot attempts and shots on goal.
He has faced five teams that rank in the bottom 12 in shot suppression, averaging five shots on goal during those games.
That’s certainly noteworthy, as the Nashville Predators sit 25th in SOG allowed per game. They’ve also conceded shots to defensemen at a top-10 rate.
Schaefer has averaged 9.4 shot attempts per game when working on a day of rest, and he recorded 10 attempts in the only game in which he didn’t clear 3.5 SOG.
- Matchup: New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn.
- TV: MSGSN2, SCRIPPS
Pick #2: Cutter Gauthier anytime goal
I’m targeting Cutter Gauthier to score and would play him up to 48%.
Gauthier scored in 61% of his home games last season against teams that ranked in the Bottom 16 in goals against. 61%!
Tonight, he draws a Vancouver Canucks team sitting dead last in average goals against (4.62) and shots against (33.5) per game, and has dropped 10 consecutive games.
Gauthier is historically a clinical finisher who has converted 3.6 expected goals (xG) into just two goals while shooting 5.6%. Vancouver’s 31st-ranked goaltending could be just what the doctor ordered to kick-start the inevitable regression.
- Matchup: Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif.
- TV: Sportsnet Pacific, FOXLA+
Pick #3: Olen Zellweger Over 1.5 shots
I’m backing Olen Zellweger for 2+ shots on goal at up to 63%.
Lindy Ruff didn’t use Zellweger a ton out of the gate, but the blueliner has averaged more than 22 minutes per game over Buffalo’s last five.
Zellweger responded with a monstrous uptick in SOG, averaging 3.6 on 7.0 shot attempts during that span.
We should expect the volume to remain strong against the San Jose Sharks. They rank 27th in shot suppression and have played at the league’s sixth-fastest pace, making this a major pace-up spot for the 31st-ranked Sabres.
The Sharks also sit 31st in shots allowed to opposing defensemen.
- Matchup: Buffalo Sabres vs. San Jose Sharks
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Location: SAP Center, San Jose
- TV: ESPN
- Top picks: 19-26, -10.06 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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